Shoe

ABSTRACT

A shoe including a sole to which is joined a flexible upper having two overlapping flap members. The flap members engage each other by securely resting one on top of the other to form a vamp covering the front portion of a wearer&#39;s foot. The flap members disengage to expose the entire interior length of the sole. The preferred closure means is hidden inside the layers of the flexible upper and is made of an elastomeric material capable of returning to one or more original shapes after being stretched or deformed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to articles of footwear and, more particularly, to a shoe that allows insertion of a foot without sliding motions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Irrespective of the outer aesthetics and other decorative designs, shoes known in the art are worn via a few traditional methods. These include inserting a foot via an opening between the vamp and the backstay for men's footwear, and inserting a foot via an opening between the toe box and the heel for women's shoes. In recent years, shoes for children or infants have adopted certain designs, such as using Velcro fastening means, to facilitate the action of putting on or taking off a shoe.

However, all of the above-mentioned prior art require a sliding motion of the foot when a shoe is being put on or taken off. As the wearer is visually unaware of the position of the toes relative to the shoe, persons lacking full dexterity in their legs or feet, such as young children or the elderly, may have difficulty putting on the shoe. Likewise, infants' feet are often injured when their parents attempt to put on their shoes for them because the parents cannot see the position of the toes inside the shoes.

Therefore, there exists a need for a shoe that provides visibility of a wearer's toes and eliminates the requirement for sliding motions when the shoe is being put on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention discloses a shoe that includes a sole to which is joined a flexible upper having two overlapping flap members. The flap members engage each other by securely resting one on top of the other to form a vamp covering the front portion of a wearer's foot. The flap members disengage to expose the entire interior length of the sole.

In the preferred embodiment, the overlapped portions of the two overlapping flap members are sufficiently large such that they can be adjusted to accommodate width and depth variations of a wearer's feet.

The preferred closure means for a shoe in accordance with the present invention is embedded in the layers of the flexible upper and hidden from view. In one aspect of the preferred embodiment, the closure means is made of an elastic material capable of returning to an original shape after being stretched, expanded or deformed. In another aspect of the preferred embodiment, the closure means is made of an elatomeric flexure material capable of retaining and being switched back and forth between either of two stable states.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shoe which a foot can be inserted into without any sliding motion.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoe that allows a wearer to see where the foot is with respect to the shoe, from toes to heel, when placing the foot inside the shoe.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shoe with no visible closure means.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a shoe that can be easily put on by young children, the elderly or others without full dexterity in their feet or legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood from the following description of one embodiment in accordance with the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals reference like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a shoe in accordance with the present invention in an open state;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the shoe of FIG. 1 in a closed state;

FIG. 4 is a view of a closure means in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of another closure means in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a view of yet another closure means in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a shoe 1 in accordance with the present invention includes a sole 10 having an anterior end 11 and a posterior end 12, to which is affixed a flexible upper 20 shaped to surround at least a portion of a wearer's foot. The flexible upper 20 extends along either side of the instep and around the heel 24, and includes two overlapping flap members 21 which engage each other to form a vamp covering the front portion of a wearer's foot.

Turning now to FIG. 1, the shoe 1 is in an open state in which the two overlapping flap members 21 are disengaged such that the interior surface of the sole 10 is exposed along its entire length extending from the anterior end 11 to the posterior end 12. In this open state, therefore, a wearer is able to insert her foot into the shoe 1 with a full view of the interior of the shoe 1. In addition, the foot can be inserted into the shoe 1 without any sliding motion. Such an entry is ideal for young children, the elderly and others who may not have full dexterity in their feet, as the wearer is able to see where the foot is with respect to the shoe, from toes to heel, when putting on the shoe 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the two overlapping flap members 21 engage each other such that one rests securely on top of the other. In the resulting closed state as shown in FIG. 3, the two overlapping flap members 21 cover the front portion of the foot and wrap around both sides of the instep. In addition, the two overlapping flap members 21 may extend further and wrap around the heel 24 (extension not shown). Preferably, the overlapped portions of the two overlapping flap members 21 are sufficiently large to accommodate width and depth variations of a wearer's feet. In other words, the two overlapping flap members 21 can be pulled such that they overlap to a greater extent in order to accommodate a narrower or thinner foot. Similarly, they can be relaxed to overlap less in order to adapt to a wider or thicker foot.

Traditional closure means may be used to securely engage the two overlapping flap members 21. Examples of such materials include Velcro strips, laces, pull strings, and straps, etc.

In the preferred embodiment, however, the closure means is embedded in the upper 20 between two or more layers of flexible material or materials such that it is not visible to the wearer. The preferred closure means is made of a flexure of elastomeric material such that it is capable of retaining the shoe 1 in its open state and/or its closed state, as further discussed below.

Referring to FIG. 1-4, a wire-shaped elastomeric element 30 capable of returning to its original state after being stretched is embedded in the upper 20 between its outer layer 22 and inner layer 23. The elastomeric element 30 extends from one of the two overlapping flap members 21 at its overlapping tip, along the connecting side of the instep, around the heel 24, along the opposite side of the instep and ends at the overlapping tip of the other overlapping flap member 21. The elastomeric element 30 has a relaxed or resting state holding the shoe 1 in its closed state as illustrated in FIG. 3. When putting on shoe 1, a wearer pulls open the two overlapping flap members 21 outward and inserts her foot into the shoe 1. As the wearer releases the two overlapping flap members 21, the elastomeric element 30 returns to its relaxed state and securely engages the two overlapping flap members 21. As the ribbon-like element 30 holds the two overlapping flap members 21 in their engaged position, the shoe 1 is securely retained in its closed state.

Turning to FIG. 1-3 and 5, a bi-stable flexure element 40 is embedded in the upper 20 between its outer layer 22 and inner layer 23. The flexure element 40 extends from one of the two overlapping flap members 21 at its overlapping tip, wraps around the connecting side of the instep, the heel 24 and the opposite side of the instep, and ends at the overlapping tip of the other overlapping flap member 21. The bi-stable flexure element 40 has two stable states in which it self-retains its shape. When the center 411 of a ridge mechanism 41 positioned at the heel 24 is pressed in, the tension within the flexure element 40 forces the two side panels 412 to open outward. This in turn causes the two overlapping flap members 21 to disengage each other and stay in their open state as shown in FIG. 1. As pressure is applied to the outer ends 413 of the ridge mechanism 41, the center 411 pops out which forces the two side panels 412 to close. This results in the engagement of the two overlapping flap members 21 which securely retains the shoe 1 in the closed state. As such, a wearer can put on the shoe 1 by pressing on the ridge mechanism 41 to open the shoe 1, inserting a foot into the shoe 1, and pressing the ridge mechanism 41 again to close the shoe 1. Other similar and known mechanisms may also be used with the bi-state flexure element 40.

Turning now to FIG. 1-3 and 6, a ribbon-like elastic element 50 capable of returning to its original state after being stretched is embedded in the upper 20 between its outer layer 22 and inner layer 23. The ribbon-like element 50 extends from one of the two overlapping flap members 21 at its overlapping tip, wraps around the connecting side of the instep, the heel 24 and the opposite side of the instep, and ends at the overlapping tip of the other overlapping flap member 21. Much like the wire-shaped elastic element 30, the ribbon-like element 50 has a relaxed or resting state holding the shoe 1 in its closed state as illustrated in FIG. 3. When putting on shoe 1, a wearer pulls open the two overlapping flap members 21 outward and inserts a foot into the shoe 1. As the wearer releases the two overlapping flap members 21, the ribbon-like element 50 returns to its relaxed state and securely engages the two overlapping flap members 21. As the ribbon-like element 50 holds the two overlapping flap members 21 in their engaged position, the shoe 1 is securely retained in its closed state.

Preferably, the upper 20 is made from one or more flexible materials such as leather, burlap, fabric or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the sole 10 is made from a thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”) which is water repellant, biodegradable, recyclable and toxin-free. TPE is commonly used to make yoga mats. An example of such a TPE is the Cellomer™ TPE manufactured by Microcell Composite Company and taught in Taiwan Patent No. I227186. The Cellomer™ TPE's high elasticity and resilience properties make it an excellent material for the sole 10. The preferred thickness of the sole 10 is at least 0.2 centimeters (cm); more preferably from about 0.3 cm to about 1.3 cm, and most preferably about 0.3 cm for infant shoes, about 0.5 cm for toddler shoes and about 1.3 cm for adult shoes. The sole 10 may be a one-layer sole made entirely of a TPE material, or it may be an outsole on top of which additional layers such as an insole and/or a middle sole may be adhered thereto. Preferably, an organic fabric lining is adhered on top of the sole 10.

Alternatively, an additional water repelling and protective layer may be sprayed on or otherwise attached to the exterior surface of the sole 10, as is known in the art.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that the embodiment is merely illustrative of the principles and application of the present invention. For example, a variety of different flexure materials can be used to securely engage and disengage the two overlapping flap members 21. It is therefore to be understood that various modifications may be made to the above mentioned embodiment and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A shoe comprising: a sole; and a flexible upper having two overlapping flap members that form a vamp in a closed state and an opening in an open state, wherein the flexible upper is affixed to the sole at an anterior end, a posterior end and perimeter edges of the sole between the anterior and posterior ends.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the opening formed in the open state exposes an interior surface of the sole extending from the anterior end to the posterior end.
 3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein a wearer's foot can be inserted into the shoe without any sliding movement.
 4. The shoe of claim 3, wherein as the wearer's foot is inserted into the shoe, at least one of the wearer's toes is exposed in the open state.
 5. The shoe of claim 4, wherein the two overlapping flap members engage each other in the closed state in which one overlapping flap member securely rests on top of the other via a closure means.
 6. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the closure means is a member of the group consisting of Velcro, lace, pull string, or strap.
 7. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the closure means is made of an elastic material capable of returning to an original shape after being stretched and is embedded in the flexible upper.
 8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the closure means is a wire-shaped elastomer and its original shape retains the shoe in the closed state.
 9. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the closure means is a ribbon-shaped elastomer and its original shape retains the shoe in the closed state.
 10. The shoe of claim 5, wherein the closure means is a bi-stable flexure capable of switching between and holding either of a first or a second original shapes, and wherein the flexure retains the shoe in the open state in its first original shape and retains the shoe in the closed state in its second original shape.
 11. The shoe of claim 10, wherein the closure means has two side panels each is embedded within one of the two overlapping flap members.
 12. A closure means for a shoe, comprising an elastic material embedded in a flexible upper and capable of returning to an original shape after being stretched, wherein the original shape retains the shoe in a closed state.
 13. The closure means of claim 12, wherein the elastic material is a wire-shaped elastic element.
 14. The closure means of claim 12, wherein the elastic material is a ribbon-shaped elastic element.
 15. A closure means for a shoe, comprising a flexure material embedded in a flexible upper and capable of switching between and holding either of a first or a second original shapes, wherein the flexure retains the shoe in an open state in its first original shape and retains the shoe in a closed state in its second original shape.
 16. A shoe comprising a shoe sole made from a thermoplastic elastomer, the shoe sole having a thickness of at least 0.2 centimeters.
 17. The shoe of claim 16, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a Cellomer™ TPE, and the thickness of the shoe sole is from about 0.3 centimeters to about 1.3 centimeters.
 18. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the thickness of the shoe sole is about 0.3 centimeters.
 19. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the thickness of the shoe sole is about 0.5 centimeters.
 20. The shoe of claim 17, wherein the thickness of the shoe sole is about 1.3 centimeters. 